Et Cetera ...

June 23, 2012

Martin County commissioners, and other county officials, have not been having any fun when it comes to a mandatory emergency response radio upgrade. The upgrade has to be completed by January, but grants haven't been coming through and the price of equipment is going up.

Commissioners did the right thing this week by placing an order for the equipment needed by the sheriff's department. The county will consider paying for the gear later, perhaps out of reserves, thus saving on debt costs. We believe commissioners are acting prudently and in the best interests of everyone.

Seems like redundancy

We don't necessarily have a problem with both Truman and Fairmont Area schools offering access to their ag programs to students at Granada-Huntley-East Chain. However, it does point out a redundancy that would not be possible under a better-organized public school system.

At the very least, smaller schools that have shown themselves to be financially troubled could be allowed to offer the basics, and then send students to larger districts for more advanced classes. This avoids the issue of shuttering the smallest schools, although that too may make more sense.

Settlement in order?

The Minnesota Senate is facing rising legal costs associated with the firing of a communications aide, Michael Brodkorb, who reportedly was having an affair with his boss, former Majority Leader Amy Koch. Brodkorb is alleging unfair termination and is threatening a gender discrimination lawsuit.

Senators are getting riled about the escalating legal bills, and the story is driving the public nuts.

There's a simple solution: The Senate must weigh what it stands to lose in a lawsuit versus the cost of its defense. A settlement would fall somewhere in between.

Remembering Ray

The community of Fairmont lost a great man in Ray Stougaard this week. He was a community leader who helped establish the Fairmont Area Foundation, which has been a font of grants to community groups for decades.

Stougaard also was close to our hearts because he was a former editor and publisher of this newspaper. He was known for his willingness to offer a strong opinion, but he was fair and always treated people with respect despite any disagreements.